Evidence suggests the way a hospital is designed can impact patient experience as well as improve outcomes.
With indoor and outdoor gardens and multicolored lighting along its balcony-lined atrium, the 300,000-square-foot Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida was recently recognized for its design, earning the honor of Most Beautiful Hospital.
RELATED: Better hospital design can improve outcomes, patient experience
(Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida)
Sponsored by Atlanta-based healthcare staffing provider Soliant, the competition named the 20 Most Beautiful Hospitals around the U.S. based on how they've invested in creating a holistic, healing environment for patients and healthcare providers. They said they received more than 250,000 total votes across 68 finalists.
Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida was a $200 million, six-year project to replace the children's hospital at HealthPark Medical Center. The 128-bed hospital has all private rooms with pullout beds and privacy screens for families. The seven-story hospital has the capacity to expand to 160 beds.
(Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida)
RELATED: Hospital Impact: Despite constraints, innovation is necessary in hospital design
Hospital officials said attractive architecture was only a piece of the patient-centered design for the building, which also includes a separate pediatric emergency department and a dedicated hematology/oncology program staffed by specialized nurses to care for young cancer patients. It also has a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Center and the region’s only state-designated Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center.